Early-Mid 60s GE Bottom Freezer Fridge

[ken]

Doesn't look that great but ad says it works. I'm going to contact seller on it. From what I remember being mentioned here I believe this is the smaller model as it has the single revolving crisper instead of two pull out? What year would it be? Has to be earlier as it has the exposed coils.

Believe this is what Ralph is looking for but in a left swing door.

http://hudsonvalley.craigslist.org/app/6102420932.html

 

[rp2813]

It's tough to peg the age of this fridge, but yes, it appears to be the smaller 30.5" wide model.  The interior color treatments look later, but the exposed coil is puzzling.  Maybe GE continued to use the exposed coil design in these smaller boxes longer than they did in the larger size.  I'd say this one is 1962 or later.

 

The right-hinged door is exactly what I need.  I'd go check that fridge out if it were near me.  If it would clean up enough to be presentable on the exterior, I'd buy it.  You can't beat the price.

 

Keep us posted!

 

[ken]

Had it in my head you needed a left swing Ralph. Did some searching here and I think its a 60 or 61 judging by the styling of the door shelves and compartment doors.

 

[pulltostart]

I'm going to venture a guess - and say this is a 1960.  Main reason for this is the gold color anodizing on the shelving.  1960 was GE's 'Golden Jubilee' year IIRC; a perfectly good reason to use the gold color interior.

 

Ken can probably confirm or correct my guess.

 

lawrence

 

[ken]

Sounds right Lawrence. I searched some old GE ads online and looks like 59 had silver shelves and 60 gold.

Gave a call and spoke to posters wife? Gave my name/number. Waiting to hear back.

***Got a call back. Going tonight to look at it. Seller said he would plug it in to show it works. [this post was last edited: 5/26/2017-15:26]

 

[Ultramatic]

 

 

Fingers crossed Ken!

 

[rp2813]

Lawrence, thanks for the tip about gold = 1960.

 

Ken, I hope this one is a diamond in the rough.  Keep us posted.

 

[pulltostart]

Ralph,

It's just a guess.  Ken (bajaespuma) will know for sure.  I know that they had their 'Golden Value Line' that year, and have seen only one advertisement about it.  But I have seen Ken make a reference to that fact.

 

If Ken (ken) gets the 'fridge we can verify with the serial number.

 

lawrence

 

[Ultramatic]

 

 

Well the ads been pulled...hoping for the best!

 

[ken]

Got it

Went and got it last night. Actually still on the truck so haven't looked for the data plate yet. The condenser fins were really dirty with dust and hair. Got most of it off last night with compressed air but it got too dark to see what I was doing. Was busy with other stuff today so didn't finish cleaning it. What's left is actually stuck on. Hopefully the rain will hold off tomorrow long enough to finish cleaning it.

Something I didn't like finding out is that it sat outside exposed for the month the ad was posted. I hope the insulation inside the doors isn't soaked. Years ago I found a 55 GE just down the road. I guess I must have seen water coming out the bottom of the door because I opened it up and found the insulation soaked.

 

[ken]

Some pics

Got it unloaded today. Dirty. Didn't do any clean up beyond the condenser. Did wash the defrost water pan. Pulled out most of the nasty, smelly insulation from the compressor area. Wonder if the rust on the doors was already there or is the result of it sitting outside the past month? Should have realized the data plate was inside the upper compartment. Couldn't make out the serial number without a light which I didn't have. Pretty sure its from 1960. I did get the bottom grille.

 

[pulltostart]

Ken,

Looks like it's all there.  Hopefully it will all clean up nicely - and cool.  Keep us posted with progress pics.

 

lawrence

 

[kenwashesmonday]

I believe the exposed coils in the top of the refrigerator section mean this is not a frost-free model. In my opinion, that's a huge plus.

 

[Ultramatic]

 

It's frost free (Frost Guard). I have the same exposed coils on mine.

 

[rp2813]

Even though it's rough, my dream fridge shines through.  With these pictures, it's clear that it's a 1960 and has my favorite style of exterior brightwork. 

 

Just a month outside wouldn't have caused those exterior issues.  I don't think this fridge has been located in a climate controlled environment for quite some time.  Maybe a damp basement?  I hope the rust can be eliminated or at least diminished with the proper cleaning compound and some elbow grease. 

 

Ken, you may have saved this beauty from being left for dead.

 

[ken]

Plugged it in this morning. Had the switch off but heard the butter conditioner buzzing so I guess that works. Ran fine and cooled. In about 30 seconds the coil in the upper compartment started to feel cool. Freezer and compressor fans operated correctly. Freezer fan stopped when freezer door was opened like it should. Let it run about 45 minutes. The serial number was hard to read but it looked like MS which would be July 1959.
T would be 1960. But I could be mistaken. As I said it was difficult to read. Will have to get a better look at it.

Guy I bought it from told me he was asked to clean out a house after an old Italian guy who lived there had a heart attack and passed. He brought the fridge and a 80s-90s 24" Holiday brand gas range home. He wanted to give me the range but I said no thanks. I took it as the fridge was the one being used in the kitchen. [this post was last edited: 5/29/2017-19:44]

 

[turquoisedude]

Nice save, Ken!  I think it may well be a 1959 - GE stopped using the 'Combination' model tag at some point, but I don't remember if it was in 1959 or 1960.    I love the swing out egg and butter doors!  It sounds like you've got a good compressor.  Funny, but I would have thought that it was a cycle-defrost model also (because of the exposed coils in the refrigerator section) but Frost-Guard is definitely better!!

 

[pulltostart]

Date Code

Ken, that date could be correct.  They would typically begin production of the official 1960 products before January 1, 1960 in order to actually have  inventory on hand on that date.  Similar to how automobiles have typically worked; so they could have built that 1960 model in July of 1959.

 

lawrence

 

[rp2813]

What a great score!  I'm glad it's operational.

 

So Ken, while you clean up this beauty, can you measure dimensions for width, height and depth and post them here?  I'd like to be absolutely sure one of these will fit in the space I have. 

 

Thanks,

 

Ralph